Relay



Aug. 23, 1960 J. l.. BoNANNo 2,950,369

RELAY Filed Oct. 15, 1958 BY WM5/'6 W WM y ATTOQNEYS United States Patent() RELAY Joseph L. Bonanno, South Orange, NJ., assignor to r1 he Lionel Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Oct. 15, 1958, Ser. No. 767,398

`6 Claims. (Cl. 200-87) This invention relates in general to electrical relays and particularly to a new and useful inexpensive coil actuated relay for actuating an electrical switch rst in one direction and then in an opposite direction upon successive .actuations thereof.

The present invention includes a simple relay device for controlling current ilow such as to the electrical motor of a small toy for reversing purposes. The invention has particular application for inexpensive devices such as model railroads or the like, since it is extremely simple in construction and economical to manufacture.

The invention includes a cam secured to the end of a solenoid plunger and which is movable within the connes of a heart-shaped slot. A pivotally mounted T- shaped switch Contact arm is arranged to oscillate between two electrical contact buttons in a manner which always presents one arm of the T in alignment with the heart-shaped slot after the other has been moved by the cam out or" the slot alignment upon actuation of the solenoid. The arrangement is such that each successive actuation of the solenoid is effective to move the contact arm from engagement with the one contact button into engagement with the opposite contact button.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved relay.

A further object of this invention is to provide a relay including means for connecting one contact button at the terminus of an electrical circuit and thereafter disconnecting the tirst button terminus and connecting a second contact button in another electrical circuit or branch upon successive actuation of a solenoid.

A further object of this invention is to provide a relay which is simple in design, krugged in construction, and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and speciiic object attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a somewhat schematic perspective viewof a toy locomotive having a relay thereon constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a relay constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 3 is a left end elevation of the relay indicated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but with the parts in a moved position;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an oiiset vertical section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 7 is a schematic electrical wiring diagram of the relay :connected to the eld coils of an electric motor of a toy train.

Referring to the drawings in particular, the invention as embodied therein includes an electrical coil actuator relay generally designated 10 which is mounted in the upright position indicated in Fig. l on a toy locomotive 12 indicated in phantom.

The relay t includes a substantially L-shaped solenoid coil mounting plate 14 including depending bracket portions 16 and 18 on each side thereof. A solenoid coil 20 is -mounted on a bottom leg 22 of the coil plate 14, the latter being provided with a central aperture through which a solenoid plunger 24 may reciprocate.

A substantially L-shaped cam plate generally designated 26 is arranged in complementary opposition to the coil plate 14 forming a rectangular enclosure for the solenoid coil 20. The cam plate 26 and the coil plate 14 are interconnected to each other.

The cam plate 26 includes a top portion 28 which covers the solenoid coil 20 and on which is pivotally mounted an L-shaped control switch or contact arm generally designated 30. The control switch 30 includes an upstanding portion 31 which normally extends through an opening in the locomotive 12 to permit manual cut out of the solenoid coil 20, if desired.

The side portion of the cam plate 26 is provided with a recessed intermediate portion 32 in which is positioned an insulation block 34. Mounted in the insulation block 34 and extending through openings in the cam plate 26 are two spaced apart contact members 35 and 38 which are entirely insulated by the insulation block from the cam plate 26. The Contact members 36 and 38 include curved interior contact portions 4t) and 42, respectively, and exterior terminals 44 and 46, respectively. The lower portion of the cam piate 26 is provided with a substantially heart-shaped or U-shaped slot 48. A substantially inverted T-shaped electrical contact member generally designated 50 is pivotally mounted at the center of the U-s`naped slot 4S and biased by a spring 49 in a direction toward the contact members 36 and 38.

The contact member 50 includes an elongated body portion 52 which extends upwardly from the pivotal location and is movable between the curved contact portions 40 and 42. The contact member 50 also includes two laterally extending arms 54 and 56 which are movable from a position in alignment with the slots 48 to a position just clearing the upper end of the slot (arm 54 in Fig. 4). The contact member 50 also includes a triangularly-shaped portion 58 extending be.- tween the arms 54 and 55 on the opposite side from the body member 52.

ln accordance with the invention, a cam follower member generally designated 59 is affixed to the end of the plunger The plunger 24 may rotate as well as' reciprocate in the coil 20. The cam member 59 includes a rod portion 60 which extends through the slot 48 and is coni'lned for movement therein. The arrangement is such that actuation of the solenoid coil 20 causes raising 'of the plunger 24 and movement of the arm 6) against whichever of the arms 56 or 54 `ci the contact member '50 is in alignment with the slot. When the contact member S@ is in the position illustrated in Fig. 4, the body arm 52 is in contact with the contact button 42 and the diamond-shaped portion 58 is positioned to the right of the center line of the U-shaped slot. Upon deenergization of the solenoid, the plunger 24 falls down to the bottom of the slot 48, and upon subsequent energization is pulled upwardly by the solenoid plunger 24 but deflected by the diamond-shaped portion 58 to the left against the arm 56. Complete upward movement of the solenoid effects rotation of the cam member S9 and the arm ti and causes pivotal rotation of the contact member 50. This rotation causes the body member 52 to move from the contact button 42 to the contact button 40. When the plunger 24 `again falls `after deenergization, the diamond-shaped portion 58 would then be positioned to the left of the center line of the slot 48 and subsequent raising of the plunger would cause deiiection of the cam 60 to the right (Fig. 4) and rotation of the contact member 50 in the opposite direction (to the left).

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 and 7, the solenoid is indicated in position for reversing an electric motor 62 of the toy locomotive 12. The motor 62 includes two eld windings 64 and 66, the former being connected to the contact button 40 and the latter being connected to the contact button 42. The coil 20 is electrically connected in series with wheels 68 and a pick-up member 72 of the locomotive 12. A transformer 70 is arranged to deliver electrical energy to a central power rail to which the locomotive pick-up 72 is connected. The contact member '50 and one terminus of the motor 62 are connected `in parallel to the coil 20. The control switch 30 is connected in series with the coil 20. The control switch 3l) is movable from -a contact breaking position as' indicated in Figs. 2 and 7 to an angularly displaced contact making position. The arrangement is such that when a switch 74 which is located inthe vicinity of the transformer 70 is closed to supply electrical energy from a source 76 to the transformer 70 and the train 12, the solenoid coil 20 is actuated to cause the plunger 24 to become raised and move the arm 60 into contact with the contact member 50. Depending on which way the Contact member 50 is positioned, the locomotive 12 will be driven forwardly by either transmitting current through the coil 64 or in reverse by transmitting the current through the coil 66 in the opposite direction from that of coil 64. Thus the invention provides a very extending into said slot and resting on the button thereof when said plunger is not activated, and means to deect said cam member against the arm of said contact member which is in `alignment with said slot upon actuation of said plunger.

2. A relay according to claim 1 wherein said deflection means includes a triangularly-shaped portion between said rst and second arms connected to said contact member and movable therewith.

3. A relay according to claim 1 wherein said triangular projection between said first and second arms of said contact member has its apex aligned with the axis' of saidbody portion.

4. A relay according to claim 1 wherein said contact member is biased in a direction toward said contact buttons.

5. In combination with a toy locomotive having an electrical motor grounded through the wheels of said locomotive and electrically connected in ther alternative through a iirst field coil to a rst contact button and a second field coil to a second contact button; and an electrical pick-up for said locomotive arranged to contact the power rail of said railroad, the improvement comprising a solenoid electrically connected to said power pick-up at `one terminus, a contact plate on one side of said solenoid, a contact member pivotally mounted on said contact plate having a body portion movable between said first and second contact buttons, -and electrically connected to the other terminus of said solenoid, whereby current from said pick-up is delivered through said solenoid and said contact member to said first field coil for forward movement of said locomotive, a plunger re* ciprocable within said solenoid, a cam member pivotally inexpensive and simply operated reversing control for a toy locomotive as well as an inexpensive relay for the control of an electrical circuit.

While a specic embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the invention principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

I claim;

l. An electrical control relay comprising a coil, a plunger reciprocable within said coil, a cam plate adjacent said coil having a substantially U-shaped slot therein, rst and second contact buttons positioned on said cam plate, a substantially T-shaped contact member pivotally mounted on said cam plate adjacent the central portion of said U-shaped slot, said contact member including/a body portion movable between said iirst and second contact buttons, and including iirst and second arms thereon extending laterally from said body, said first arm being positioned in alignment with said slot when said second arm is located beyond the edge of said slot and said body is in contact with said first contact button, and said second arm being located in alignment with said slot when said first arm is located beyond the edge of said slot and said body is in contact with said second contact button, a cam member rotatably mounted on said plunger about the longitudinal axis thereof and connected to said plunger for rotation about the longitudinal axis of said plunger and conned for movement along a substantially U-shaped path, means connected to said contact member arranged in the path of said cam member and being deiiectable thereby to move said member to said second contact button upon initial and subsequent alternate actuation of said coil whereby todirect current through said second iield coil and cause reverse operation of said locomotive, said means being eiective to deect said cam member and cause movement of said contact member to said iirst contact button for current flow through said first field coil andrforward propulsion of said locomotive upon second and subsequent alternate energization of said coil.

6.In the combination according to claim 5, wherein said contact plate includes a portion extending above said solenoid,.a contact button on said portion connected to one end of said solenoid coil, a second contact button on said portion connected to ground, and a pivotally mounted switch arm on said portion movable between said contact buttons.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 809,693 Johnston Jan. 9, 1906 1,448,033 Nelson Mar. 13, 1923 2,221,963 Case et al. Nov. 19, 1940 2,321,212 Johnson June 8, 1943 2,858,645 Smith Nov. 4, 1958 

